Thursday, August 26, 2010

I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I recently escaped. Ask me anything.

Where you hidin', boi?

What is the main nutrient required for effective growth of lawn grass?

escaped?

Why don't you celebrate birthdays or holidays?

Why don't you celebrate birthdays or holidays?

They trace holidays back to their pagan roots. For example, Christmas is supposedly based on Saturnalia. They want to be completely free of "this world" so they avoid anything to do with paganism. Birthdays just get sort of lumped in with all the other holidays.

I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I recently escaped. Ask me anything.

Why so black people?

Do Jehovah's Witnesses really believe that there's a finite space in heaven and the only way to guarantee a spot there is to convert a certain number people? I've always been a little foggy on this point.

I recently discovered that there are a lot of Mexican Jehovah's Witnesses. Can you agree to this?

They trace holidays back to their pagan roots. For example, Christmas is supposedly based on Saturnalia. They want to be completely free of "this world" so they avoid anything to do with paganism. Birthdays just get sort of lumped in with all the other holidays.

How about "bless you" after someone sneezes? My Catholic relatives refuse to say it because it's rooted in Paganism.

Do Jehovah's Witnesses really believe that there's a finite space in heaven and the only way to guarantee a spot there is to convert a certain number people? I've always been a little foggy on this point.

similar to this is that 144,000 only thing for real? can you explain that more

escaped?

You have no idea how hard it is to get out of that cult. Even after you get past all of the brainwashing and mind control, you have to face the fact that all of your family and friends will banish you once you leave. Besides, if you tell them that you are an atheist, they won't believe you. They are convinced they can bring anyone back "into the truth," so they called and visited constantly for the first few months trying to get me to convert back. I still get calls every do often from the elders, trying to guilt me into returning.

Did you ever go to peoples houses to preach? If so how did that go?

I recently discovered that there are a lot of Mexican Jehovah's Witnesses. Can you agree to this?

How about "bless you" after someone sneezes? My Catholic relatives refuse to say it because it's rooted in Paganism.

>My Catholic relatives refuse to say it because it's rooted in Paganism. What? That's just silly. I mean, first of all it's not, and second of all Catholicism is the most Pagan form of Christianity anyway.

I don't have anything to ask, but I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I hope you get a ton of presents this year!!

similar to this is that 144,000 only thing for real? can you explain that more

It would take a while to explain, because there's tons of symbolism and stuff. Here's how they imagine armageddon will go down: 1. The governments will basically ban religion (they will turn on the great beast of revelation, the world empire of false religion. 2. Everyone dies except for them. 3. Everyone gets resurrected except like Hitler and Judas and atheists. 4. 144,000 "chosen ones" go to heaven to become co-rulers with jesus 5. jesus will imprison satan and there will be a thousand-year reign where people are taught to love god. 6. satan is released for a little while to test people again. 7. the winners get to live forever on paradise earth.

I recently discovered that there are a lot of Mexican Jehovah's Witnesses. Can you agree to this?

How about "bless you" after someone sneezes? My Catholic relatives refuse to say it because it's rooted in Paganism.

F**king loads of mexican JWs. around here, there's about one spanish hall to each english hall. it's probably because we would always be blitzing run-down apartment complexes, which were full of mexicans.

What can I do to keep those a**holes from knocking on my door? They always INSIST on coming inside. F**K YOU

It would take a while to explain, because there's tons of symbolism and stuff. Here's how they imagine armageddon will go down: 1. The governments will basically ban religion (they will turn on the great beast of revelation, the world empire of false religion. 2. Everyone dies except for them. 3. Everyone gets resurrected except like Hitler and Judas and atheists. 4. 144,000 "chosen ones" go to heaven to become co-rulers with jesus 5. jesus will imprison satan and there will be a thousand-year reign where people are taught to love god. 6. satan is released for a little while to test people again. 7. the winners get to live forever on paradise earth.

wow that sounds f**ked up thanks for answering

It would take a while to explain, because there's tons of symbolism and stuff. Here's how they imagine armageddon will go down: 1. The governments will basically ban religion (they will turn on the great beast of revelation, the world empire of false religion. 2. Everyone dies except for them. 3. Everyone gets resurrected except like Hitler and Judas and atheists. 4. 144,000 "chosen ones" go to heaven to become co-rulers with jesus 5. jesus will imprison satan and there will be a thousand-year reign where people are taught to love god. 6. satan is released for a little while to test people again. 7. the winners get to live forever on paradise earth.

That's odd, but no more odd than any other religion's theories on armageddon. But wait, isn't that whole 'co-ruling' with Jesus thing sort of... I don't know, prideful or lusting or something? I feel like actively pursuing something like that messes a bit with that the Bible says, doesn't it? Don't eat me if I'm wrong - I'm not religious in any sense of the word so I might have things a bit messed up here.

How would a Jehovah's Witness react if I they came to my door and I told them I was an Atheist? I've always wanted to do that.

I recently discovered that there are a lot of Mexican Jehovah's Witnesses. Can you agree to this?

How about "bless you" after someone sneezes? My Catholic relatives refuse to say it because it's rooted in Paganism.

Most people just said "excuse you." Blessing after a sneeze is superstitious; something about spirits making you sneeze. Some people said gazundheit.

Did you ever go to peoples houses to preach? If so how did that go?

When I was young my parents would take me along with them. The reasoning was that people would be nicer if there's a cute little kid in a suit at their door. By the time I stopped being cute, I was shy and I didn't talk. Then I realized it was bullsh*t and I never spoke at the door. All in all, I probably only spoke to 5 or 6 people in my 18 years as a witness. My parents would still drag me out in service because they had to keep their image up; if it looked like I was losing faith, it reflected poorly on them.

I don't have anything to ask, but I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and I hope you get a ton of presents this year!!

Thanks! I've never been able to celebrate my birthday, so this year will actually be my first.

What can I do to keep those a**holes from knocking on my door? They always INSIST on coming inside. F**K YOU

The f**k do you mean they insist? If they come in without your permission, just call the cops.

Most people just said "excuse you." Blessing after a sneeze is superstitious; something about spirits making you sneeze. Some people said gazundheit. When I was young my parents would take me along with them. The reasoning was that people would be nicer if there's a cute little kid in a suit at their door. By the time I stopped being cute, I was shy and I didn't talk. Then I realized it was bullsh*t and I never spoke at the door. All in all, I probably only spoke to 5 or 6 people in my 18 years as a witness. My parents would still drag me out in service because they had to keep their image up; if it looked like I was losing faith, it reflected poorly on them. Thanks! I've never been able to celebrate my birthday, so this year will actually be my first.

>Thanks! I've never been able to celebrate my birthday, so this year will actually be my first. One candle on the cake, then? :3

Oh God OP, I had a bus ride with a black JW today. I couldn't troll or offend him because he was the bus driver, but he was pretty nice despite his batsh*t insane ideas. Why do you think people convert to such a batsh*t insane sect?

My girlfriend is non practicing JW. She has started to get back into and I went to a meeting and the manorial. I understand if she does chose this it will be over me. What should I do? She was raised this way and although she didn't practice really for years its in her thoughts.

So do your parents still talk to you? Have you made any new friends that aren't nutjobs?

What can I do to keep those a**holes from knocking on my door? They always INSIST on coming inside. F**K YOU

tell them you're a satanist or wiccan. or just ask to be put on their do-not-call list; they're actually pretty reasonable about that and they'll respect it. I think you're probably just a pushover, because it's pretty easy to just say, "I'm busy, I'm not interested," and close the door.

How would a Jehovah's Witness react if I they came to my door and I told them I was an Atheist? I've always wanted to do that.

They actually went over this at one of the last meetings I went to. They have a formula of questions to follow when somebody says that. "Is it that you don't believe in a god, or is it that you've become fed up with the hypocrisy in the churches?" Then they'll try to convince you that since the world is so complex, it must have a creator. "If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?"

My girlfriend is non practicing JW. She has started to get back into and I went to a meeting and the manorial. I understand if she does chose this it will be over me. What should I do? She was raised this way and although she didn't practice really for years its in her thoughts.

You should let her make her own decisions, you dick. Yeah, you'll probably lose her if she becomes a hardcore Jehovah's Witness. At the very least, she'll try to convert you. It sucks, but pushing her away from something she believes in is wrong.

Oh God OP, I had a bus ride with a black JW today. I couldn't troll or offend him because he was the bus driver, but he was pretty nice despite his batsh*t insane ideas. Why do you think people convert to such a batsh*t insane sect?

Usually a weakness. They target emotional problems, like the recent death of a relative, and they give the person hope of resurrection. It works really well. I can say one thing about it-- it really does help people who need a lot of help. I knew one guy who got totally f**ked up in Vietnam. He went completely crazy; he thought the viet-cong were still after him, and he would tunnel under his house and watch the fields. He was really violent and pretty scary, too. But the religion actually fixed his PTSD completely. It's also a good community for old people. They take care of their old people really well.

>They actually went over this at one of the last meetings I went to. They have a formula of questions to follow when somebody says that. "Is it that you don't believe in a god, or is it that you've become fed up with the hypocrisy in the churches?" Then they'll try to convince you that since the world is so complex, it must have a creator. "If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?" o_o Jesus Christ f**k it ill just pretend im not home.

>They actually went over this at one of the last meetings I went to. They have a formula of questions to follow when somebody says that. "Is it that you don't believe in a god, or is it that you've become fed up with the hypocrisy in the churches?" Then they'll try to convince you that since the world is so complex, it must have a creator. "If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?" o_o Jesus Christ f**k it ill just pretend im not home.

>assuming your aitheist >using Jesus Christ f**k

tell them you're a satanist or wiccan. or just ask to be put on their do-not-call list; they're actually pretty reasonable about that and they'll respect it. I think you're probably just a pushover, because it's pretty easy to just say, "I'm busy, I'm not interested," and close the door.

They actually went over this at one of the last meetings I went to. They have a formula of questions to follow when somebody says that. "Is it that you don't believe in a god, or is it that you've become fed up with the hypocrisy in the churches?" Then they'll try to convince you that since the world is so complex, it must have a creator. "If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?"

So ask them if they ran across a puddle of water in a pothole, would they marvel at how perfectly the water fits in the hole, indicating the hole must have been made just for the water.

>They actually went over this at one of the last meetings I went to. They have a formula of questions to follow when somebody says that. "Is it that you don't believe in a god, or is it that you've become fed up with the hypocrisy in the churches?" Then they'll try to convince you that since the world is so complex, it must have a creator. "If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?" o_o Jesus Christ f**k it ill just pretend im not home.

you should troll them like Socrates and try to get them caught up in their own 'logic'... practise some debating skills too...

>"If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?" "Yes, but houses aren't suspected to have evolved. They are not lifeforms with specific adaptations and ancestors in the fossil records."

My girlfriend is non practicing JW. She has started to get back into and I went to a meeting and the manorial. I understand if she does chose this it will be over me. What should I do? She was raised this way and although she didn't practice really for years its in her thoughts.

I would avoid people who have not outrightly denied it, like I have. Many ex-JWs are just what they call "inactive." She probably just stopped going door-to-door, then eventually stopped going to meeting all together. But it is really hard to get past the brainwashing. When you spend your entire life accepting something as the truth, it is near impossible to change. You have to change your outlook on absolutely everything. tl;dr: she still believes, but she's just in a slump, as most witnesses go through. I do not believe, so it has no power over me anymore.

>"If you ran across a house on the beach, would you not assume that someone must have built it?" "Yes, but houses aren't suspected to have evolved. They are not lifeforms with specific adaptations and ancestors in the fossil records."

It's a metaphor, you pedant. Their point still stands, the chances of you and me being here are so infinitesimally small that it is as mind-boggling as a tornado rolling through a scrapyard and creating a working car.

Do you ever send people overseas like the Mormons or is it for Americans exclusively?

Usually a weakness. They target emotional problems, like the recent death of a relative, and they give the person hope of resurrection. It works really well. I can say one thing about it-- it really does help people who need a lot of help. I knew one guy who got totally f**ked up in Vietnam. He went completely crazy; he thought the viet-cong were still after him, and he would tunnel under his house and watch the fields. He was really violent and pretty scary, too. But the religion actually fixed his PTSD completely. It's also a good community for old people. They take care of their old people really well.

I figured. The guy I talked to told me he was really upset and troubled while he was in the army. He had this guilt about killing other people, and he said that he "couldn't imagine why God would approve of two people killing each other" and other such things as " am I really defending my country?". He has an okay grip on the fact that the government are selfish a**holes, but he believes they're possessed by demonic spirits. He was very nice to me despite finding out that I was an atheist, and he handed me a copy of the watchtower after I mentioned my past troubles in hospitals and stuff. (Targeting troubled people...even though I'm not particularly distressed about what I went through because I'm proud of the person it's made me into.) I was able to sort of make him think about his own faith, I think. He agreed with me that people all have greed, and evil in their hearts to a degree, and I mentioned that we couldn't really trust the word of people who wrote The Bible because they may have been lying about divine inspiration, etc. tl;dr He was clearly brainwashed, and he allowed them to do so because of the war but he was also very accepting and willing to consider my viewpoints without alienating me.

Keep going OP, i find this extremely interesting. How bout some stories? of meetings or the elders, or anything that would seem odd to a person who has never believed in anything.

So do your parents still talk to you? Have you made any new friends that aren't nutjobs?

I had awesome friends in high school, and they were one of the main reasons I was able to open my eyes to the real world. JWs discourage having "worldly" friends because "bad association spoils useful habits." So even though I couldn't hang out with them outside of school (or talk to them on facebook/myspace--elders in the hall routinely prowl social networking sites to find rebellious witness youths living a double life), they supported me and helped me through my worst times as I faced my ultra-strict parents. Luckily, though, I was never baptized. You can only be disfellowshipped, or shunned, if you were baptized. So my parents can talk to me without getting in trouble from the organization. We don't have much to talk about though.

It's a metaphor, you pedant. Their point still stands, the chances of you and me being here are so infinitesimally small that it is as mind-boggling as a tornado rolling through a scrapyard and creating a working car.

It's a poor metaphor then, as it doesn't actually apply to the situation at hand. Anyway, I'm not going to get into the same tired old argument here - I'm enjoying OP's responses and the thread in general.

OP, how recent ago did you escape, if you don't mind telling, and what was the process of it? Did you one day just tell everyone you were quitting / a non-believer or what?

you should troll them like Socrates and try to get them caught up in their own 'logic'... practise some debating skills too...

It's tempting but I have better things to do with my life. Maybe if it was a cute one I would.

>assuming your aitheist >using Jesus Christ f**k

Yeah im and Atheist whats your point?

Are you an atheist now (slash, were you not ever)? Do you ever meet anybody else who "escaped?" Do their experiences mirror your own? Did leaving make any of your friends or family doubt their convictions?

What's all this "escape" bullsh*t. You weren't locked on a compound somewhere. It's a really strict religion not a cult. My grandma is one, she tries to convert the other family members by constantly bringing up God when she talks to us. It's really awkward. I used to study the bible with her. The only positive things about Jehova's Witnesses is that they are generally less hypocritical and have less of a victim complex than other religions, and seem to understand what is actually in the bible. I mean most Christians cling to a set of beliefs with no justification, like Christmas being Jesus birthday even though it's a pagan holiday, whereas Jehova's Witnesses educate themselves about it's real origin. They also do not vote in elections or support politics at all because they believe only God can govern humans whereas the average christian f**kwit thinks God loves America and whatever conservative candidate is popular now. On the other hand, even if they are slightly more rational than other religions, they are still a community based on false beliefs. (In my opinion, since I don't believe in God. :P ) Which makes them annoying.

I figured. The guy I talked to told me he was really upset and troubled while he was in the army. He had this guilt about killing other people, and he said that he "couldn't imagine why God would approve of two people killing each other" and other such things as " am I really defending my country?". He has an okay grip on the fact that the government are selfish a**holes, but he believes they're possessed by demonic spirits. He was very nice to me despite finding out that I was an atheist, and he handed me a copy of the watchtower after I mentioned my past troubles in hospitals and stuff. (Targeting troubled people...even though I'm not particularly distressed about what I went through because I'm proud of the person it's made me into.) I was able to sort of make him think about his own faith, I think. He agreed with me that people all have greed, and evil in their hearts to a degree, and I mentioned that we couldn't really trust the word of people who wrote The Bible because they may have been lying about divine inspiration, etc. tl;dr He was clearly brainwashed, and he allowed them to do so because of the war but he was also very accepting and willing to consider my viewpoints without alienating me.

almost all witnesses really are genuinely nice people, but they are brainwashed.

Do you ever send people overseas like the Mormons or is it for Americans exclusively?

it is a worldwide organization. They have kingdom halls in just about every country besides afghanistan and north korea, and even there, they have underground preachers and hidden meetings. There are also missionaries, but not a whole lot of them.

Keep going OP, i find this extremely interesting. How bout some stories? of meetings or the elders, or anything that would seem odd to a person who has never believed in anything.

should i tell you about how they hide sexual predators? I have a story about it. It's a long story, and I won't tell the entire thing here. Anyway, there was this young married guy who went on "seldom-worked territory" in north dakota with my sister, her best friend, and many other people; men and women. They were all staying together in two rented houses. My sister's friend noticed his camcorder in the bathroom recording her showering. She checked the tapes and found many recording of her, my sister, and their other friends changing and showering in the bathroom. Later, many other girls came out with stories of his abuse. He was a charming, good looking guy whom everyone trusted. So there were many witnesses, tons of anecdotal evidence, and even videotape evidence convicting him. But instead of turning him in to the police, the elders hid it. My own father said that it was the best thing to do, because they didn't want to "give Jehovah's organization a bad name." So this pervert runs free, and he isn't on any sort of sex offender registry. he isn't even disfellowhipped. their reasoning is, "If he is guilty, god will take care of him in the end." in the meantime, he is getting away with sexual abuse.

What's all this "escape" bullsh*t. You weren't locked on a compound somewhere. It's a really strict religion not a cult. My grandma is one, she tries to convert the other family members by constantly bringing up God when she talks to us. It's really awkward. I used to study the bible with her. The only positive things about Jehova's Witnesses is that they are generally less hypocritical and have less of a victim complex than other religions, and seem to understand what is actually in the bible. I mean most Christians cling to a set of beliefs with no justification, like Christmas being Jesus birthday even though it's a pagan holiday, whereas Jehova's Witnesses educate themselves about it's real origin. They also do not vote in elections or support politics at all because they believe only God can govern humans whereas the average christian f**kwit thinks God loves America and whatever conservative candidate is popular now. On the other hand, even if they are slightly more rational than other religions, they are still a community based on false beliefs. (In my opinion, since I don't believe in God. :P ) Which makes them annoying.

Not OP, but it's escape because the community is so closed. Choosing to stop attending the church, to stop proselytizing and stop professing your beliefs means cutting yourself off from basically all of your friends and family, who are convinced you're evil and stay the f**k away from you. It's a serious step.

OP, how recent ago did you escape, if you don't mind telling, and what was the process of it? Did you one day just tell everyone you were quitting / a non-believer or what?

I finally decided I was an atheist when I was 15 or so. I was emailing a friend about it, but I forgot to log out. My parents, being the accusatory, judgmental snoops they are, went through and printed all of my emails. They confronted me about it. They were in extreme denial. I still had to go to meeting and act like everything was okay, and they helped me hide my atheism for three more years, because they couldn't stand the stigma they would get from having an atheist son. it would mean that they were bad parents. When you try to leave, there is suddenly a unified effort of everyone harassing you to stay.

my girlfriend went into the jehovahs witnesses on her own and basically stoped talking to me for half a year because of the religions hold on her and me disagreeing with their beliefs. I finally got her out of it but she still has some unwillingless to completley give up the idea of the jehovahs witnesses. she searched any non secular sources on the jehovahs witnesses either. the whole religion caused alot of problems for me and her and i dont understand how anyone can believe the brainwashing willingly. im glad you managed to get out of it OP. i don't hate anything but the idea of how the religion brainwashs incredibley nice people is just really angering. what a horrible thing.

What's up with the JW obsession with the number 144,000?

almost all witnesses really are genuinely nice people, but they are brainwashed. it is a worldwide organization. They have kingdom halls in just about every country besides afghanistan and north korea, and even there, they have underground preachers and hidden meetings. There are also missionaries, but not a whole lot of them.

should i tell you about how they hide sexual predators? I have a story about it. It's a long story, and I won't tell the entire thing here. Anyway, there was this young married guy who went on "seldom-worked territory" in north dakota with my sister, her best friend, and many other people; men and women. They were all staying together in two rented houses. My sister's friend noticed his camcorder in the bathroom recording her showering. She checked the tapes and found many recording of her, my sister, and their other friends changing and showering in the bathroom. Later, many other girls came out with stories of his abuse. He was a charming, good looking guy whom everyone trusted. So there were many witnesses, tons of anecdotal evidence, and even videotape evidence convicting him. But instead of turning him in to the police, the elders hid it. My own father said that it was the best thing to do, because they didn't want to "give Jehovah's organization a bad name." So this pervert runs free, and he isn't on any sort of sex offender registry. he isn't even disfellowhipped. their reasoning is, "If he is guilty, god will take care of him in the end." in the meantime, he is getting away with sexual abuse.

>almost all witnesses really are genuinely nice people I can vouch for this. Also an ex-JW here, I went to the US Headquarters in New York City and never felt so loved and safe by everyone working there. They're all genuinely nice people. It's a shame their religion is so hard to swallow by most people. This world would probably be a much better place if everyone was as courteous and generous as they are.

What's all this "escape" bullsh*t. You weren't locked on a compound somewhere. It's a really strict religion not a cult. My grandma is one, she tries to convert the other family members by constantly bringing up God when she talks to us. It's really awkward. I used to study the bible with her. The only positive things about Jehova's Witnesses is that they are generally less hypocritical and have less of a victim complex than other religions, and seem to understand what is actually in the bible. I mean most Christians cling to a set of beliefs with no justification, like Christmas being Jesus birthday even though it's a pagan holiday, whereas Jehova's Witnesses educate themselves about it's real origin. They also do not vote in elections or support politics at all because they believe only God can govern humans whereas the average christian f**kwit thinks God loves America and whatever conservative candidate is popular now. On the other hand, even if they are slightly more rational than other religions, they are still a community based on false beliefs. (In my opinion, since I don't believe in God. :P ) Which makes them annoying.

It's different when your entire family and almost everyone you have ever known growing up is a witness. I think that JWs have the most accurate understanding of the bible of any christian religion. Unfortunately, it doesn't change the fact that the bible is complete horse sh*t.

What's up with the JW obsession with the number 144,000?

>Revelation 7:1-9 >I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: >Out of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed; >out of the tribe of Reu'ben twelve thousand; >etc

My great-grandmother was Episcopalian, but in her final years, she became a shut-in. The Episcopals pretty much forgot about her, so she was feeling really alone. Then, one day, the Jehovah's Witnesses started coming. And they came back. Again, and again. She felt abandoned by the Episcopals, but loved by the JWs. So, she converted.

It's different when your entire family and almost everyone you have ever known growing up is a witness. I think that JWs have the most accurate understanding of the bible of any christian religion. Unfortunately, it doesn't change the fact that the bible is complete horse sh*t.

Yeah, if JWs just used the standard bible then people would be much more open to listening to them. It's true though, they definitely know and understand the bible better than the average christian.

How many of them strike you as happy, fulfilled individuals with a clear purpose in life, and how many are tearing themselves apart inside trying to fake it?

Are you an atheist now (slash, were you not ever)? Do you ever meet anybody else who "escaped?" Do their experiences mirror your own? Did leaving make any of your friends or family doubt their convictions?

I am an agnostic atheist. My brother also left. His situation was far different, though. He says he isn't an atheist. He is probably deist. He was just never very faithful in the first place, and after he moved out he just drifted away. He was baptized, though, so my parents can't talk to him. I sort of think he will eventually return to it. I hope he does not. For most of the people I knew, though, it just strengthened their resolve. Seeing someone fall down satan's path reminded them to watch their own steps so as not to falter.

>Revelation 7:1-9 >I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: >Out of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand sealed; >out of the tribe of Reu'ben twelve thousand; >etc

I'm familiar with the scripture that they got it from. I just want to know why the JWs think that scripture applies to them. It explicitly states that that particular 144,000 are people of the tribes of Israel.

How many of them strike you as happy, fulfilled individuals with a clear purpose in life, and how many are tearing themselves apart inside trying to fake it?

Almost everyone is totally happy. Seriously, to the people that can stomach it, it is the greatest thing ever. They devote their entire life to it, and they wouldn't have it any other way. I'm happy for them, too, and a little jealous that they can be so blind and so happy. People don't really bother trying to fake it. Once you realize the lies and cultist activities, it is sickening to watch. I tried to get away from it as quickly as I could.

Yeah, if JWs just used the standard bible then people would be much more open to listening to them. It's true though, they definitely know and understand the bible better than the average christian.

That's simply because the average Christian has never even read their own holy book. I think it's really pathetic that, not only are Christians typically ignorant of their own belief system, but the church is not particularly active in treating this endemic laziness.

Did leaving cause you any material damage? Did you lose access to any finances, cut off from parents insurance, etc.?

I'm familiar with the scripture that they got it from. I just want to know why the JWs think that scripture applies to them. It explicitly states that that particular 144,000 are people of the tribes of Israel.

By this time, the literal nation of Israel has lost god's favor. The israel in revelation refers to god's chosen people, who they, of course, believe to be them, because they try to follow the bible to a tee.

Almost everyone is totally happy. Seriously, to the people that can stomach it, it is the greatest thing ever. They devote their entire life to it, and they wouldn't have it any other way. I'm happy for them, too, and a little jealous that they can be so blind and so happy. People don't really bother trying to fake it. Once you realize the lies and cultist activities, it is sickening to watch. I tried to get away from it as quickly as I could.

Hey I have a question for you, what's your opinion of women? I remember my grandma telling me about how there always had to be at least one man around during activities, she didn't exactly say why but I assume it's because they view women as inferior like most extreme religions do.

By this time, the literal nation of Israel has lost god's favor. The israel in revelation refers to god's chosen people, who they, of course, believe to be them, because they try to follow the bible to a tee.

Oh, sheesh. Replacement theology. Possibly the greatest contributor to "Christian" anti-semitism. And completely contradictory to Paul's assertion that Christians are "grafted" onto the family tree of Israel.

Did leaving cause you any material damage? Did you lose access to any finances, cut off from parents insurance, etc.?

JWs are anti-college. They think it is a waste of time, a bad party environment, and that it promotes greed. They think time is better spent "saving up treasures in heaven" by preaching. It isn't banned by any means, but no witness parent is ever going to pay for their kids' college. I had a 4.0 gpa, and I wanted, more than anything, to become an engineer, but it was greatly discouraged. I'm still working on getting the finances to pay for college myself.

If Prince was canvassing your neighborhood, would you let him in your house?

How was masturbation for you in your teen years? Is there one good and one bad situation that has burned into your memory? apart from the "outing" and the peeping-tom.

JWs are anti-college. They think it is a waste of time, a bad party environment, and that it promotes greed. They think time is better spent "saving up treasures in heaven" by preaching. It isn't banned by any means, but no witness parent is ever going to pay for their kids' college. I had a 4.0 gpa, and I wanted, more than anything, to become an engineer, but it was greatly discouraged. I'm still working on getting the finances to pay for college myself.

I wish you luck OP

JWs are anti-college. They think it is a waste of time, a bad party environment, and that it promotes greed. They think time is better spent "saving up treasures in heaven" by preaching. It isn't banned by any means, but no witness parent is ever going to pay for their kids' college. I had a 4.0 gpa, and I wanted, more than anything, to become an engineer, but it was greatly discouraged. I'm still working on getting the finances to pay for college myself.

That's rational. The less educated the followers are, the fewer hard questions they will ask of the leadership.

Did leaving cause you any material damage? Did you lose access to any finances, cut off from parents insurance, etc.?

here again. I hope it goes well for you. Good luck.

Hey I have a question for you, what's your opinion of women? I remember my grandma telling me about how there always had to be at least one man around during activities, she didn't exactly say why but I assume it's because they view women as inferior like most extreme religions do.

No, they are not mysognist at all. Only men can be elders, but that's just the way it is. Women do a ton of the preaching work. They are all for civil rights, except gay people. They really hate gay people.

JWs are anti-college. They think it is a waste of time, a bad party environment, and that it promotes greed. They think time is better spent "saving up treasures in heaven" by preaching. It isn't banned by any means, but no witness parent is ever going to pay for their kids' college. I had a 4.0 gpa, and I wanted, more than anything, to become an engineer, but it was greatly discouraged. I'm still working on getting the finances to pay for college myself.

If you live in the USA, you're probably an excellent candidate for a Pell Grant. Sure did help me...

No, they are not mysognist at all. Only men can be elders, but that's just the way it is. Women do a ton of the preaching work. They are all for civil rights, except gay people. They really hate gay people.

>They really hate gay people. But flamingly effeminate is okay? Prince is one of their most famous members.

How was masturbation for you in your teen years? Is there one good and one bad situation that has burned into your memory? apart from the "outing" and the peeping-tom.

Did it errvy day from 12 onward. Never got caught once. F**k yeah. I was thousands of times better at using computers than my parents, so I could thoroughly cover my tracks. School sucked for a long time. I was the christf**, and I even got into arguments with like mormons and stuff sometimes. Once, I almost did report on why evolution was irrational and creation is the only answer. Looking back, I feel sorry for my teacher. It was a highly-capable class in elementary school, and I kept pushing to let her let me do that project, and she was obviously nervous about it because of all the secular smart parents that would be there to watch. It makes me stomach turn to think of how embarrassed I would be if I had gone through with it.

If you live in the USA, you're probably an excellent candidate for a Pell Grant. Sure did help me...

I do. Thanks, that might help.

>They really hate gay people. But flamingly effeminate is okay? Prince is one of their most famous members.

Prince is not a member. He was studying for a little while, but he was never baptized. I don't think he even goes to meetings anymore. After he appeared on the superbowl still using his phallic guitar, most witnesses disregarded him. I knew a witness from Las Vegas, too, and he had never seen Prince, so it may have just been a rumor to begin with, or thw whole thing grossly inflated. But yeah, as long as you don't f**k dudes, it's fine.

That's rational. The less educated the followers are, the fewer hard questions they will ask of the leadership.

If you honestly, genuinely believed you had information that could save peoples' lives, would you spend your time going out and telling everyone you could, or would you go to college to set yourself up a career? When you look at it from their perspective, college is selfish and worldly.

Did it errvy day from 12 onward. Never got caught once. F**k yeah. I was thousands of times better at using computers than my parents, so I could thoroughly cover my tracks. School sucked for a long time. I was the christf**, and I even got into arguments with like mormons and stuff sometimes. Once, I almost did report on why evolution was irrational and creation is the only answer. Looking back, I feel sorry for my teacher. It was a highly-capable class in elementary school, and I kept pushing to let her let me do that project, and she was obviously nervous about it because of all the secular smart parents that would be there to watch. It makes me stomach turn to think of how embarrassed I would be if I had gone through with it.

I cant even beging to fathom the horrors... I was 5-6 when I realized santa claus was not real and that was pretty much the only thing I have ever believed in a religious sense. Go go, scandinavia i guess. Dont really know what else to ask nothings popping in my head atm...

No, they are not mysognist at all. Only men can be elders, but that's just the way it is. Women do a ton of the preaching work. They are all for civil rights, except gay people. They really hate gay people.

>only men can be elders Why? A religion so bent on having strict rules about everything doesn't really do things just because, from what I've seen, strict flavours of Christianity generally do have some reason for the ritual, though they frequently don't like to tell you the why. I grew up with fundamental protestant Christian parents, and all the churches I was familiar with were pretty strict about what women can and cannot do. Women are "covered" (read: owned) by and defer to a man, first her father, then husband, symbolizing how the church is the 'bride' of Christ, and 'covered' by and defer to Him. They can't preach in public (they can and do minister, but not preach, if you understand the difference, and I'm sure you do). They can't be a church elder or a pastor or hold any other "real" position. They can't speak during communion or devotion or when a man is preaching or praying (because of one obscure passage that says a man may worship openly, but a woman must worship in silence). They have to wear "head coverings" (read: doilies) on their heads when reading the Bible or praying or hearing the sermon or whatever. I never really fully understood the justification for this. It refers to some obscure passage where it says something like, a man's glory is god, but a woman's glory is her hair/beauty/youth, so she has to cover it to come into the presence of god. Anyways, that's kind of off on a tangent. What I'm going for here is that it's not necessarily "WOMAN! KNOW YOUR PLACE!" so much as a more implicit misogyny. They rarely, if ever, actually drew any attention to or explained the reasoning behind the whys in our (Pentecostal) church, I had to press really hard asking about this stuff, they didn't like to talk about it because they knew it wouldn't be "popular" reasoning. Are JW's different?

here in nyc i don't live too far from the Jehovah watch tower Can anyone tell me what goes on inside that building...it sorta looks like an asylum Do they brainwash you inside...Next thing a jehovah comes to my door i'll just tell them Praise allah GTFO

I do. Thanks, that might help.

Prince is not a member. He was studying for a little while, but he was never baptized. I don't think he even goes to meetings anymore. After he appeared on the superbowl still using his phallic guitar, most witnesses disregarded him. I knew a witness from Las Vegas, too, and he had never seen Prince, so it may have just been a rumor to begin with, or thw whole thing grossly inflated. But yeah, as long as you don't f**k dudes, it's fine.

Not that I believe everything I read, but I have read quite a few news articles that talked about him going door-to-door and handing out Watchtowers. BTW, I love the art in JW lit! The artists they use are amazing.

How would a Jehovah's Witness react if I they came to my door and I told them I was an Atheist? I've always wanted to do that.

they would SH*T BRICKS and insist on bringing you out of the darkness and into the light Don't fall for the tricks...Tell them gods name isn't jehovah Tell them it's JAH and you are RASTAFARI that'll teach them aye

I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I recently escaped. Ask me anything.

Have you seen Orgasmo? If no, promise me you will?

>only men can be elders Why? A religion so bent on having strict rules about everything doesn't really do things just because, from what I've seen, strict flavours of Christianity generally do have some reason for the ritual, though they frequently don't like to tell you the why. I grew up with fundamental protestant Christian parents, and all the churches I was familiar with were pretty strict about what women can and cannot do. Women are "covered" (read: owned) by and defer to a man, first her father, then husband, symbolizing how the church is the 'bride' of Christ, and 'covered' by and defer to Him. They can't preach in public (they can and do minister, but not preach, if you understand the difference, and I'm sure you do). They can't be a church elder or a pastor or hold any other "real" position. They can't speak during communion or devotion or when a man is preaching or praying (because of one obscure passage that says a man may worship openly, but a woman must worship in silence). They have to wear "head coverings" (read: doilies) on their heads when reading the Bible or praying or hearing the sermon or whatever. I never really fully understood the justification for this. It refers to some obscure passage where it says something like, a man's glory is god, but a woman's glory is her hair/beauty/youth, so she has to cover it to come into the presence of god. Anyways, that's kind of off on a tangent. What I'm going for here is that it's not necessarily "WOMAN! KNOW YOUR PLACE!" so much as a more implicit misogyny. They rarely, if ever, actually drew any attention to or explained the reasoning behind the whys in our (Pentecostal) church, I had to press really hard asking about this stuff, they didn't like to talk about it because they knew it wouldn't be "popular" reasoning. Are JW's different?

No, JW women can do anything but be an elder or give public talks. But they still have plenty of power and freedom, and much of the strength of the JW organization comes from the faithful women.

here in nyc i don't live too far from the Jehovah watch tower Can anyone tell me what goes on inside that building...it sorta looks like an asylum Do they brainwash you inside...Next thing a jehovah comes to my door i'll just tell them Praise allah GTFO

The people there are already brainwashed. But that's just where they print the literature. If you show up in a suit they would probably let you go on a tour.

Okay, this was fun. Maybe I'll do it again sometime. But it's almost 1:00 in the morning, and the flow of questions has stopped, so I guess I will be on my way. So long. Don't ever let people control your thoughts. Learn to recognize the signs of propaganda and mind control, and learn how to resist them. Never let anyone think for you. It doesn't matter how you live your life, as long as you are living YOUR life; not to make your parents happy, or to make a girl happy, or to make your friends happy. If you are not true to yourself, you are not true to anyone. And now I'm going to stop with the inspirational speech. cya

they would SH*T BRICKS and insist on bringing you out of the darkness and into the light Don't fall for the tricks...Tell them gods name isn't jehovah Tell them it's JAH and you are RASTAFARI that'll teach them aye

"Jehovah" and "Jah" are botched transliterations of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton. The best transliteration is "YHWH," or Yahweh.

here in nyc i don't live too far from the Jehovah watch tower Can anyone tell me what goes on inside that building...it sorta looks like an asylum Do they brainwash you inside...Next thing a jehovah comes to my door i'll just tell them Praise allah GTFO

It's where volunteers go to help create and distribute literature and manage all the other districts. Everyone has their own jobs and no one gets paid, but they get free food and board. Anyone can leave whenever they want. >Praise allah GTFO Really. Really? You sound like a mindless bigot, rude and ignorant. Go run along now.

It's where volunteers go to help create and distribute literature and manage all the other districts. Everyone has their own jobs and no one gets paid, but they get free food and board. Anyone can leave whenever they want. >Praise allah GTFO Really. Really? You sound like a mindless bigot, rude and ignorant. Go run along now.

it's okay i don't believe in mythical books like the rest of the world does I live in america Now as i will tell you "Run along now"

OP, I heard JW's will refuse a blood transfusion even if it means they'll die. What the hell is that all about?

OP, I heard JW's will refuse a blood transfusion even if it means they'll die. What the hell is that all about?

They believe that blood is sacred. No eating it and no accepting or giving blood. If they do they won't be in God's favor. Accepting a blood transfusion to extend your life a few years seems foolish to a person who genuinely believes that they will lose a shot at eternal paradise or heaven if they do. That answer your question?

almost all witnesses really are genuinely nice people, but they are brainwashed. it is a worldwide organization. They have kingdom halls in just about every country besides afghanistan and north korea, and even there, they have underground preachers and hidden meetings. There are also missionaries, but not a whole lot of them.

should i tell you about how they hide sexual predators? I have a story about it. It's a long story, and I won't tell the entire thing here. Anyway, there was this young married guy who went on "seldom-worked territory" in north dakota with my sister, her best friend, and many other people; men and women. They were all staying together in two rented houses. My sister's friend noticed his camcorder in the bathroom recording her showering. She checked the tapes and found many recording of her, my sister, and their other friends changing and showering in the bathroom. Later, many other girls came out with stories of his abuse. He was a charming, good looking guy whom everyone trusted. So there were many witnesses, tons of anecdotal evidence, and even videotape evidence convicting him. But instead of turning him in to the police, the elders hid it. My own father said that it was the best thing to do, because they didn't want to "give Jehovah's organization a bad name." So this pervert runs free, and he isn't on any sort of sex offender registry. he isn't even disfellowhipped. their reasoning is, "If he is guilty, god will take care of him in the end." in the meantime, he is getting away with sexual abuse.

That's how all religions handle it. F**king blows.

They believe that blood is sacred. No eating it and no accepting or giving blood. If they do they won't be in God's favor. Accepting a blood transfusion to extend your life a few years seems foolish to a person who genuinely believes that they will lose a shot at eternal paradise or heaven if they do. That answer your question?

Yeah, thanks. So apparently JW's are the only sect of Christianity who completely believe in Heaven and the righteousness of their religion? Because honestly, I don't see a lot of other religious people getting all excited about the prospect of death.

Yeah, thanks. So apparently JW's are the only sect of Christianity who completely believe in Heaven and the righteousness of their religion? Because honestly, I don't see a lot of other religious people getting all excited about the prospect of death.

suicide bombers?

What was it like to witness Jehovah?

suicide bombers?

I said Christian sect.

I said Christian sect.

Muslims may not be technically christian but the Koran and the Bible are basically the same thing.

it's okay i don't believe in mythical books like the rest of the world does I live in america Now as i will tell you "Run along now"

America, the land of atheism, where godlessness is completely acceptable.

I said Christian sect.

No you didn't. You just said 'other religious people'.

Muslims may not be technically christian but the Koran and the Bible are basically the same thing.

>Koran and the Bible are basically the same thing Except being completely different in content.

No you didn't. You just said 'other religious people'.

>So apparently JW's are the only sect of Christianity >sect of Christianity

hurr durr

>So apparently JW's are the only sect of Christianity >sect of Christianity

hurr durr

See that little dot? That's a 'period' or 'full stop'. It indicates the end of one sentence and the beginning of another.

See that little dot? That's a 'period' or 'full stop'. It indicates the end of one sentence and the beginning of another.

Generally when writing a sentence, people tend to continue a thought on the same subject. Why would I decide after said "full stop" that I needed to change my position?

Generally when writing a sentence, people tend to continue a thought on the same subject. Why would I decide after said "full stop" that I needed to change my position?

And yes, I realize I just botched my syntax. F**k off. Why are we arguing this? I meant people belonging to Christian sects. You arguing otherwise doesn't change the original thought.